Zone entries: carry or dump

Setup

1. Full equipment for everyone, including a full cage and neck guard. G in full goalie gear in the right net.
2. Three forwards (LW, C, RW) start in the neutral zone, C with the puck. Two defenders (X1, X2) wait just inside their blue line.
3. Before each rep the coach quietly tells the defenders to either back off or stand up at the line, so the forwards have to read it.
4. Many teams use a rule of thumb like 'carry with space, dump without it'. Present it as one way to play, not the only one.

How it runs

1. C carries up the middle with LW and RW wide. The defenders either give ground or step up and close the middle.
2. Space in front of C: carry it over the blue line with speed and attack the net 3-on-2.
3. Defenders standing up: once past the red line, C dumps it into the far corner, away from G, and the nearest forward races for it.
4. The race is a body-position battle: get there first, protect the puck, and look for a teammate in the slot. No body checking.
5. Play to a shot or a clear. Shoot only when G is set. Rest and water between reps; each rep is about 30 seconds.

Coaching points

• Decide early, by the red line. A late decision becomes a turnover at the blue line.
• Dump from your attacking half, past the red line. A dump from your own half that crosses the goal line untouched is icing.
• Aim the dump away from G, into the far corner or hard around the boards, so the goaltender cannot stop it and pass it out.
• A dump-in is a chase: the closest forward goes at full speed and the next forward supports, so you win the puck back.
• Carrier on a carry-in: you must cross the blue line before your teammates do. Everyone else watches the line.
• Defenders: stand up with a tight gap and sticks in the lanes; a defender backing up all the way gives the attack a free entry.

Common mistakes

• Carrying into two defenders standing at the line and losing the puck at the blue line.
• A soft dump that G stops behind the net.
• Dumping it in and then coasting, so the defenders get the puck with time.
• A winger crossing the blue line ahead of the puck and being called offside.